U.S. patent application number 10/446249 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-04 for picture postcard mailer with rigid frame and stand.
Invention is credited to Evans, Kimberly J., Snider, Catherine Parks.
Application Number | 20030222128 10/446249 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29587043 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030222128 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snider, Catherine Parks ; et
al. |
December 4, 2003 |
Picture postcard mailer with rigid frame and stand
Abstract
Disclosed is a picture postcard mailer for mailing and framing
photographs and the like. The mailer includes a frame portion
defining an aperture therethrough and further defining a
cross-sectional pocket therein. The cross-sectional pocket is
dimensioned and configured to retain an image within it such that
the image is visible through the aperture. A stand portion is
connected to the frame portion and is movable between a retracted
position and an extended position. A detachable writing surface is
attached to a peripheral edge of the frame portion. Means for
maintaining the stand portion in the extended position are provided
so that the postcard mailer can be displayed when received.
Inventors: |
Snider, Catherine Parks;
(Oregon, WI) ; Evans, Kimberly J.; (Madison,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DEWITT ROSS & STEVENS S.C.
8000 EXCELSIOR DR
SUITE 401
MADISON
WI
53717-1914
US
|
Family ID: |
29587043 |
Appl. No.: |
10/446249 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60383858 |
May 29, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/92.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42D 15/02 20130101;
B42P 2241/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/92.8 |
International
Class: |
B42D 015/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A picture postcard mailer comprising: a frame portion defining
an aperture therethrough and further defining a cross-sectional
pocket therein, the cross-sectional pocket being dimensioned and
configured to retain an image therein such that the image is
visible through the aperture; a stand portion connected to the
frame portion and movable between a retracted position and an
extended position; a detachable writing surface attached to a
peripheral edge of the frame portion and detachable from the frame
portion; and means for maintaining the stand portion in the
extended position.
2. The picture postcard mailer of claim 1, wherein the frame
portion, the stand portion, the writing surface, and the means for
maintaining the stand portion in the extended position are
fabricated from paper-based material.
3. The picture postcard mailer of claim 1, wherein the means for
maintaining the stand portion in the extended position comprises a
retractable tab disposed within the arcuate notch defined by the
stand portion, the tab movable between a retracted position
substantially co-planar with the frame portion, and an extended
position substantially perpendicular to the plane of the stand
portion, and wherein when in the extended position the tab contacts
a peripheral edge of the arcuate notch.
4. The picture poscard mailer of claim 1, wherein the writing
surface is movable between a retracted position and an extended
position, wherein in the retracted position, the writing surface
contacts the frame portion in face-to-face orientation.
5. The picture postcard mailer of claim 1, wherein the writing
surface is movable between a retracted position and an extended
position, wherein in the retracted position, the writing surface
contacts the frame portion in face-to-face orientation, with the
means for maintaining the stand portion in the extended position
disposed between the writing surface and the frame portion.
6. A picture postcard mailer comprising: a frame portion defining
an aperture therethrough and further defining a cross-sectional
pocket therein, the cross-sectional pocket being dimensioned and
configured to retain an image therein such that the image is
visible through the aperture; a detachable writing surface attached
to a peripheral edge of the frame portion and detachable from the
frame portion, the writing surface being movable between a
retracted position and an extended position, wherein in the
retracted position, the writing surface contacts the frame portion
in face-to-face orientation; a stand portion connected to the frame
portion and movable between a retracted position and an extended
position, wherein the stand portion defines an arcuate notch; and a
retractable tab disposed within the arcuate notch defined by the
stand portion, the tab movable between a retracted position
substantially co-planar with the frame portion, and an extended
position substantially perpendicular to the plane of the stand
portion, and wherein when in the extended position the tab contacts
a peripheral edge of the arcuate notch.
7. The picture postcard mailer of claim 6, wherein the frame
portion, the stand portion, the writing surface, and the
retractable tab are fabricated from paper-based material.
8. The picture postcard mailer of claim 6, wherein when the writing
surface is in the retracted position, the writing surface contacts
the frame portion in face-to-face orientation, with the stand
portion and the retractable tab disposed between the writing
surface and the frame portion.
9. A picture postcard mailer comprising: a frame portion defining
an aperture therethrough and further defining a cross-sectional
pocket therein, the cross-sectional pocket being dimensioned and
configured to retain an image therein such that the image is
visible through the aperture; a detachable writing surface attached
to a peripheral edge of the frame portion and detachable from the
frame portion, the writing surface being movable between a
retracted position and an extended position, wherein in the
retracted position, the writing surface contacts the frame portion
in face-to-face orientation; a stand portion connected to the frame
portion and movable between a retracted position and an extended
position, wherein the stand portion defines an arcuate notch; a
retractable tab disposed within the arcuate notch defined by the
stand portion, the tab movable between a retracted position
substantially co-planar with the frame portion, and an extended
position substantially perpendicular to the plane of the stand
portion, and wherein when in the extended position the tab contacts
a peripheral edge of the arcuate notch; and wherein when the
writing surface is in the retracted position, the writing surface
contacts the frame portion in face-to-face orientation, with the
stand portion and the retractable tab disposed between the writing
surface and the frame portion.
10. The picture postcard mailer of claim 9, wherein the frame
portion, the stand portion, the writing surface, and the
retractable tab are fabricated from paper-based material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Priority is hereby claimed to provisional application Ser.
No. 60/383,858, filed May 29, 2002, and incorporated by reference
herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention is directed to a picture postcard mailer that
can also double as a permanent framing member for pictures,
photographs, and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a
picture postcard mailer according to the present invention, with
the stand extended.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
with the stand retracted and the entire mailer laid flat.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1
[0006] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a picture postcard
mailer according to the present invention, with the stand
retracted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A first embodiment of the invention is directed to a picture
postcard mailer comprising a frame portion that defines an aperture
therethrough. The frame portion further defines a cross-sectional
pocket therein, the cross-sectional pocket being dimensioned and
configured to retain an image therein such that the image is
visible through the aperture. The postcard further comprises a
stand portion connected to the frame portion and movable between a
retracted position and an extended position and a detachable
writing surface attached to a peripheral edge of the frame portion.
The postcard also includes means for maintaining the stand portion
in the extended position.
[0008] The postcard mailer is preferably fabricated from
paper-based materials. It is also preferred that the postcard
mailer be dimensioned and configured to fit within a mailing
envelope of corresponding dimensions.
[0009] A second embodiment of the invention is a picture postcard
mailer comprising a frame portion as defined in the first
embodiment, and a detachable writing surface attached to a
peripheral edge of the frame portion and detachable from the frame
portion, the writing surface being movable between a retracted
position and an extended position, wherein in the retracted
position, the writing surface contacts the frame portion in
face-to-face orientation. The second embodiment of the invention
further comprises a stand portion connected to the frame portion
and movable between a retracted position and an extended position,
wherein the stand portion defines an arcuate notch. Lastly, the
postcard mailer of the second embodiment includes a retractable tab
disposed within the arcuate notch defined by time sad portion, the
tab movable between a retracted position substantially co-planar
with the frame portion, and an extended position substantially
perpendicular to the plane of the stand portion, and wherein when
in the extended position the tab contacts a peripheral edge of the
arcuate notch.
[0010] A third embodiment of the invention comprises picture
postcard mailer as described in the first two embodiments, wherein
when the writing surface is in the retracted position, the writing
surface contacts the frame portion in face-to-face orientation,
with the stand portion and the retractable tab disposed between the
writing surface and the frame portion.
[0011] Referring now to the drawing figures, where the same numbers
are used throughout the various views to designate the same
elements, the invention is a picture postcard mailer 10, having a
frame portion 12 defining an aperture 14, and stand portion 16,
means for maintaining the stand portion in an extended position 18,
a detachable writing surface 20, and a cross-sectional pocket 22
defined within the frame portion.
[0012] Referring now specifically to the perspective renderings
shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the picture postcard mailer 10 includes a
rigid frame portion 12, that defines an open area 14 (see FIG. 4).
Additionally, within the frame is defined a cross-sectional cavity
23 (shown in broken lines) that is accessed via an opening 22 or
22' in the sidewall of the frame portion 12. In this fashion, a
picture, photograph, or other flat image is slid into the
cross-sectional cavity via opening 22 or 22', and the image thus
appears within the aperture 14. Thus, the frame portion 12 of
mailer will surround an image, in the same fashion as a
conventional picture frame, with the displayed image resting
within, and held in place by, the cross-sectional cavity.
[0013] Note that as shown in the drawing figures, the frame portion
12 is roughly square. This is for purposes of brevity only. The
frame portion may take any desired shape, such as triangular,
rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal (i.e., any polygon), circular,
oval, etc. Likewise, the aperture 14 is also shown as a rectangle.
The frame portion 12 may define an aperture 14 of any shape or
dimension, without limitation.
[0014] It is preferred that the frame portion 12 be made from a
suitably stiff, paper-based material, such as heavy-stock paper,
paper board, Bristol board, card board, matting board, and the
like. The frame portion 12, may also be made from wood, metal,
plastic, etc. The frame portion 12 may also be made by a composite
or laminate of two or more layers of these materials (either the
same or different materials), with the cross-sectional pocket 23
being defined between two adjacent layers. Alternatively, where the
frame portion is monolithic, the cross-sectional pocket is simply a
void defined within the frame member itself.
[0015] The cross-sectional pocket 23 defined within the frame
portion may be accessed from any point along the perimeter of the
frame portion 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the
cross-section pocket is accessed from the top via opening 22. In
FIG. 1, however, the cross-sectional pocket 23 is accessed from the
side via opening 22' or from the top 22. In short, the opening to
access the cross-sectional pocket may be located at any line (or
curve) along the perimeter of the frame portion 12.
[0016] A writing surface 20 is attached to the frame portion 12 at
folded joint 21. See FIG. 2. The joint 21 may be perforated to
allow easy removal of the writing surface 20. The writing surface
may be of any shape or dimension, either the same as or different
from the frame portion 12. The preferred embodiment is shown in the
figures, where the outer perimeter of the writing surface 20
matches that of the frame portion 12. The joint 21 allows the
writing surface to fold flat (in face-to-face orientation) with the
frame portion 12, thereby enabling the entire picture postcard 10
to be inserted into an envelope and mailed.
[0017] A key aspect of the invention is the stand portion 16, and
the means for maintaining the stand portion in an extended position
18. The stand portion 16 is attached to one of the inner perimeters
of the frame portion 12 (i.e., the perimeter that defines the
aperture 14). See FIG. 1, reference 17. The stand portion 16 folds
outwardly from rear face of the frame portion 12, thereby serving
as a stand to hold the frame portion in a substantially upright
position. The means for maintaining the stand portion in an
extended position 18 takes the form of a retractable tab that
extends in a plane roughly perpendicular to the plane of the stand
portion 16, and which abuts the stand portion 18. As shown in FIG.
1, the means 18 comprises a retractable tab or flange 19 that is
movable within an arcuate notch or hollow 19' in the stand portion.
When extended, the tab 19 contacts the peripheral edge of the notch
19', thereby holding the stand 16 in an extended position via
friction. The tab 19 may also include a centrally located notch
(not shown) to aid in maintaining the stand 16 in the extended
position.
[0018] In operation, an image to be displayed is placed within
cross-sectional pocket 23, via opening 22 or 22'. If a message is
to be sent along with the image, the message may be written on
writing surface 20. The picture postcard mailer can then be sent to
its intended recipient via post. The recipient may, if desired,
remove the writing surface 20, by tearing along joint 21 to
separate the writing surface from the frame portion. To display the
image held within the frame portion, the stand 16 is extended and
the tab 19 is also extended to hold the stand 16 in place. The
frame portion 16 will thus be held in substantially upright
position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.
* * * * *